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Thursday, 2nd September 2010

I have asset-stripped companies, admits would-be Stags owner

Now ask me questions, Batchelor urges fans

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Published Date: 27 March 2008
Email Tim Morriss

JOHN Batchelor, the flamboyant businessman trying to buy Mansfield Town, has admitted that he asset-stripped companies in the past.
The former York owner is a hated figure among some City fans after taking the club into administration.

  • John Batchelor answers your questions


And last week he agreed, when questioned by Chad, that he made some money out of York during his short time at the helm of the club.

That included buying the club for £1 and then failing to fulfil a promise to buy the ground - amid accusations of failing to divert sponsorship money into the football club.

About York he said: "I did nothing wrong. Yes I made money out of the club, I don't deny it. I suppose I made a profit of about £120,000 over 18 months in total.

"But I did not take a salary and I could have made far more than that on a salary from working elsewhere." - Click here for last week's interview about York City

Now, on Thursday, Mr Batchelor - still waiting to hear if his late bid for the club has been suucessful ahead of an already agreed, but not completed, deal between Mr Haslam and the Derry consortium - admitted: "Yes, I have asset-stripped companies."

  • Batchelor offers Stags players bonus if they avoid relegation and he owns club


Chad asked him about two companies - Solvitol and Besglos - after complaints from former employees, posting on Chad.co.uk stories about the businessman's interest in the Stags.

Solvitol was the third largest aerosol manufacturer, before Mr Batchelor was persuaded by the management team to help organise a management buyout from its owners, a plc.

Besglos was a cleaning company, ironically the place where the colourful businessman started his working career at the age of 17, years earlier.

Mr Batchelor said: "I have nothing to hide. I bought those companies, left the management team in place, strengthened them with additional resources and funded them with my own money.

"I gave the management team six months to deliver, but they didn't so I closed them down - they went into administration.

"I then stripped out the assets for a return on my investment."

Mr Batchelor added: "Let's be clear. I would adopt the same approach at Mansfield.

"I would invest into the business and put a strong management team in place.

"But we can make it work if everyone does what they say they will do.

"If they didn't, then I would have to consider my position, of course.

"But I am a football fan and want to make this work. Sponsorship is a world I understand and I am sure we can attract the bigger companies who could make a difference.

"I ran a motorsport team for seven years, from starting with nothing. And I only stopped because I didn't have the time anymore.

"There are commercial opportunities in football that haven't been exploited yet and that is why I think I can make a go of it.

"People think a lot about football, but they have to think more laterally."

And he repeated his promise to Chad last week, that he would be open about sponsorship deals, the money they brought to the club and his 'commission'.

It is thought that Mr Batchelor wants to take on the Stags under the same terms agreed between the club and the Derry consortium.

That means he would be injecting £500,000 of working capital into a club which has been losing £250,000 annually for the past few years.

He added: "In theory I suppose you could say I have two years to make a go of this."

When asked what would happen if the money ran out, he repeated: "Then I would have to consider my position, of course."

Under the terms of the buyout agreed by the Derry consortium, it is known that Mr Haslam would sell his majority shareholding for £1 and demand a rent for the use of Field Mill (reduced if the club is relegated) - offering an option to buy the ground at a previously agreed price.

If the owners default on the rent it is thought that the club's ownership would revert back to Mr Haslam.

Have you got a question for Mr Batchelor? Post it below or e-mail Tim Morriss and we will collate them and put them to Mr Batchelor, who has promised to answer them. Please leave your questions by 5pm Friday and they will then be passed on to Mr Batchelor. Click here for answers so far

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  • Last Updated: 27 March 2008 8:05 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Mansfield
 
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1

John Batchelor,

Waiting! 27/03/2008 15:20:27
Well, I don't suppose I can be any clearer can I? anyone want to ask any questions?
2

Bermuda Viper,

Lake Ontario 27/03/2008 15:26:02
You say you stopped motorsport due to a lack of time, how would you make enough time to run a club like Mansfield?
3

infoman,

lancs 27/03/2008 15:30:34
ok where the salary's for the staff at Besglos. wheres your Bentley? does your wife know whats going on?
Why did you screw over one of your closest friends?
4

ste1053,

27/03/2008 15:38:25
Who are the team of 3 that would come in to manage the team ?and have you got any other backers?
5

Bermuda Viper,

Lake Ontario 27/03/2008 15:38:57
It would appear that your other companies aren't in too great shape either if taking Plasline UK Ltd as an example. What's to say MTFC wouldn't end up with a similar amount of county court judgements? At the end of the day the people of Mansfield want a solution to the problem, not to be in a situation where they are saying "come back Keith, all is forgiven".
6

infoman,

lancs 27/03/2008 15:41:48
Hi Viper he also screwed over a company called Moornate. left the owner with nothing after promising him monies
7

stag till i die,

church warsop 27/03/2008 15:48:09
in your interview you quoted that you made a profit of about 120,000 pounds over 18 months in total.
and you did not take a salary`and you could have made far more than that elsewhere.Is that why you intend to buy M.T.F.C and make a bigger profit and be another K. Haslam? also you stated that you gave the management 6 months to deliver, they didnt so you closed them down.Are you going to do that to M.T.F.C if successfull? to be honest mr Batchelor i dont belive in you, however if you take over M.T.F.C i want you to prove me wrong.I would be the 1st person to say i was wrong.all the best and good luck.
8

Simon Burrows,

27/03/2008 15:49:26
- Will you be starting with a zero balance ala Derry circus (i mean consortium)?
- Have you had any say on Paul Holland releasing six players?
9

Ayup meduck,

27/03/2008 15:52:27
Please stay away, you are the opposite of what we need at our club. Don't you think we've suffered enough at the hands of people looking to make a quick buck.

We need someone that actually cares for the club and the fans, you are not that man.
10

Bermuda Viper,

Lake Ontario 27/03/2008 15:53:15
infoman, it would appear your right.
Based on my knowledge of business it's a good idea to have at least one sound company behind you initially before trying to take on one that is a massive challenge.
Just a brief look at directorships held says it all really.
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